"Assuming a monthly average gold import of 40 tonnes for first quarter of 2014-15 and 80 tonnes for the remaining three quarters, total imports for the current fiscal will tantamount to 840 tonnes vis-a-vis 586 tonnes in 2013-14.

"While the 80-20 rule would still put some downside pressure on our estimate, we believe the impact would be offset by the likely upside risk that phased normaliaation of custom duty could bring-in," Assocham President Rana Kapoor said.

The central bank had tied imports with exports and prescribed a 20:80 formula, which was available to select banks only and other entities were barred from importing the yellow metal.

Under the 20:80 scheme an importer has to ensure that at least one-fifth, or 20 per cent, of every lot of imported gold is exclusively made available for the purpose of exports and the balance for domestic use.

India's current account deficit narrowed to 1.7 per cent of GDP in FY14, from 4.7 per cent (USD 87.8 billion in FY13), while in the March quarter it shrunk massively to 0.2 per cent of GDP, which is a lowest since March 2009.